Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Caius snorts. “Unless you’re into vomit, not a good idea.”
“What does that mean?” Solomon asks, a hint of anger in his tone.
“Not you,” Caius says smoothly. “It’s this yacht. Before coming up here, she was green and hugging the toilet, not getting ready as I’d mentioned. I didn’t consider what the motion of the vessel would do to a newly pregnant woman.”
Pregnant?
What a liar.
Why is he lying?
“Pity,” Solomon says, disappointment in his tone, not giving up for some reason that he’d seen me earlier. “I’d rather not smell puke while balls deep. Talk about an erection killer. Plus, a man has standards.”
They both chuckle.
Disgusting.
“You’ll stay and watch the show, though?” Solomon asks.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
The desk chair creaks as Solomon stands. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to grab the girl and tell Michael to make his way back here.”
His footsteps fade away and the room grows deathly quiet. Is Caius still in here? I pick up on the soft sound of footsteps approaching. The chair squeaks again, but this time, Caius’s scent seeps into the cabinet with me.
The yacht pulls hard to one side, and I wonder if I really will become seasick. Light bursts in my vision when the cabinet door flings open. A quick look tells me Caius is inspecting Solomon’s laptop and wasn’t the one responsible for opening the door. We tilt hard in the other direction and the cabinet slams shut. The sound is so loud, I can’t help but squeak out in surprise.
Crap.
This time when the cabinet opens, it’s not because of the choppy waters. Caius, turned in the chair and leaning forward, grabs hold of my arm and tugs me onto the floor in front of him.
“What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Doing. Here?”
The blazing fury in his eyes is unlike anything I’ve seen before. It’s beyond terrifying. I feel like he’s barely refraining from choking the life out of me.
“I can explain,” I rush out. “I was exploring and ended up here. I got scared and—”
“Stupid little girl,” he snarls, tightening his grip on my arm. “This was reckless as fuck. You need to get your ass back to our room now. Don’t let him see you.”
Tears well in my eyes. I’m suddenly fear-stricken and unsure if I’m able to escape this room undetected.
Footsteps can be heard once again and a flash of panic gleams in Caius’s dark eyes. He forcefully shoves me back into the cabinet, uncaring that he’s bruising my arm and knocking my head against the wood. Before he closes the door, he points a finger in my face.
“Do not fuck this up for me,” he warns, malevolence dripping from his words. “Not only will you ruin everything, you’re going to get yourself killed.”
With those words, he quietly closes the door, rights the chair, snaps the laptop closed, and walks across the room. The leather of his chair makes a sound just as a person enters the room.
“Caius Crowne,” Michael says, voice calmer than before. “Always a pleasure.”
“Likewise,” Caius agrees with zero emotion. “How are the kids?”
Kids?
This disgusting man has children?
“Joey joined the Marines last month. He’s gone for who knows how long,” Michael tells him. “Heidi is still away at MIT.”
“They’re doing okay since Margie died?”
“The kids stay distracted. It’s good for them. As for me.” Michael sighs. “A man gets lonely. I thought I’d fixed that problem, but alas, I have not.”
While they have their small talk, I replay everything I learned about Caius. He’s into some sort of mind control. I mean, I knew that because they attempted it on me, but I didn’t understand the level at which this family plays.
Why couldn’t they get inside my head?
Am I considered a failure too?
Before I can figure anything out, I hear Solomon announce his arrival.
“Boys, I have a sweet little appetizer. Who’s hungry?”
I slowly move, trying to catch a peek through the crack of the doors without accidentally knocking them open. Through the thin slit, I catch movement. Legs. Solomon’s and a bare, much thinner set.
I’m going to be sick.
I hear a smack and then the girl crumples to the ground.
Is he going to kill her?
“Something to make her behave?” Solomon asks.
“Not on me,” Caius says in an icy tone. “Do I need to get something?”
Michael chimes in, “The bitch doesn’t deserve to numb the pain. I want to watch her suffer.”
“Ask and you shall receive,” Solomon hisses as he unbuckles his belt. “You want to do the honors?”
“I want to watch,” Michael growls.
“Need lube?” Solomon asks.
“No. I’m not coming on my own hand and I’m not letting her clean it up either. I’ll hold out until my new girl is ready.”
“Suit yourself.”
Solomon begins whaling on her with the belt. The poor girl shrieks and sobs, but no one comes to her aid. I want to crawl out of this cabinet, but fear has me immobilized. I’m not her savior. I’m a captive too. If I out myself, I’m not sure I won’t meet the same fate. Disgust roils in my gut. I hate that I can’t force myself to try to stop it. I’m a coward.